Evolution & Emulation

So, the other day I decided to watch a documentary of one of the most intriguing personalities of the 20th century – Charles Robert Darwin. One of his most famous quotes, “It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change”, was radical in changing the way we looked at evolution. What is evolution? Is it a by-product of change? Or is it an inevitable circumstance? When we go to the zoo and see the monkey struggle with his tricks, in hindsight aren’t we laughing at our own fathers?

In today’s dynamic world, evolution is innate. The rock-like cell phone is now thinner than the size of your palm. The car of today is as luxurious as the villa of yesterday. But what was it that gave birth to this evolution? Hello Emulation! Simply put, Emulation is the art of copying. Sounds dirty, doesn’t it? Let’s look at it this way then. When you decided to choose your career, there is someone you dreamt to be like. That someone could be Thomas Edison? Steve Jobs? Warren Buffet? Sheldon Cooper? Or even your own father. The point is we all want to be like someone. So then, how does evolution come into the picture?

Having a role model is a human tendency. Most of us don’t even realize it, but we are all moving in a direction to be like someone. It defines us. But that is the beauty of evolution. ‘Change’ won’t let us become like our idol. The road taken by your father will not be the same one that you are going to drive on. Different scenarios, different challenges and different stories are what will help you evolve. Strength and intelligence can help you start your journey, but your ability to adapt and sustain is what will make you reach your destination.

Choose who you want to emulate wisely, because that’s in your hand. Then let the beauty of evolution drive you. Someday, when you will look back, you will see a hundred cars trying to take the highway that you took to success.